Quote:
Originally Posted by Dire
The reverse grand prix is one of the most dangerous lines for white in c4 e5 systems, especially when white cannot simply get in a quick d4. But the grand prix as white against the sicilian is innocuous and not really even remotely dangerous against a decent opponent.
Loss of an opening tempo is complex. It doesn't necessarily mean an opening just inherently becomes 'that much' stronger, and black/white also typically have different goals in the opening.
I believe the saying is like "The difference between a punch and a counter-punch."
You jab your opponent while he is standing up right and waiting for your punch is one fighting situation.
Another entirely different fighting situation is when your opponent is throwing a jab at you (which opens him up partially on the opposite side of his jab -- i.e. the space left behind) and you go at him with a counter-punch. His initial jab opened him up and created a target that you can now take advantage of with your counter-punch.
This is partially why the Sicilian Defense is such a great counter-attacking system while the English is more of a maneuvering positional system.